An 11am kick off in cold conditions was the order for the day as the Eels Jersey Flegg team took on the table topping and undefeated Sharks. The young Parra fellas were up for this game after finishing their preparations with a confident Captain’s Run on Saturday.
The opening 20 minutes of the contest left the spectators in no doubt of the Eels intent – physicality. It was obvious that Dean Feeney had his forwards focussed on belting Cronulla out of the contest, and that message was sent from the opening whistle.
A powerful surge by Sean Keppie in the 7th minute to open the scoring saw Parra playing from in front, but the scoreboard wasn’t troubled again till the 24th minute. During this crucial period the aggressive defence from the Eels had their Sharks counterparts rattled and it would be telling as the match unfolded.
Michael Tupou crashed over next to the posts to double the Eels lead to 12 with just over ten minutes left in the half. The Sharks fought back with a try of their own 5 minutes later, before some Dylan Brown magic laid the platform for a try out wide to Taufa Afu. The conversion by Todd Sapienza in the difficult conditions saw the Eels take an 18 to 6 lead into the break.
The power plays from the Eels continued immediately after the resumption of play, and the action was soon in the Sharks quarter. A backline shift to the right saw Haze Dunster cross out wide. The conversion into the strong breeze was well wide, leaving the score at 22 to 6.
The Eels then went back to back as the forwards marched downfield to set up a towering bomb into the wind, with Noel Aukafolau taking the ball right on the line and diving over for another unconverted try and a 26 to 6 lead.
Only five minutes would pass before Todd Sapienza added to the Sharks misery when he took on the line from ten out for a fine individual try, which he duly converted for a 32 to 6 score line.
Not to be outdone, Dylan Brown then showcased his prodigious talents with a try of his own. Faking to shift the ball to the left, he chipped over the defence line before regathering and beating the fullback. The conversion was sending the match towards embarrassment for Cronulla at 38 to 6.
Impressively, the Eels defended their own line with determination before Haze Dunster took an intercept to race away for the final try, leaving the score at 42 to 6.
Make no mistake, the game delivered by the young Eels today was the blueprint for winning rugby league matches. The forwards might not have earned many individual mentions for today’s match, but as a unit they were my “men of the match”.
The aggression in both attack and defence from the Eels pack would have left the Sharks bruised and battered. The was little doubt that the contact in the opening 20 minutes rattled Cronulla, and the classy Parra backs were the beneficiaries.
3 The Eels forwards – smashed their opposition, worked as a unit
2 John Fonua – faultless and on fire at the back
1 Dylan Brown – a classy return after injury
On a side note, Reed Mahoney was on hand to cheer on his old team mates today. This is the club spirit in Parra and a big effort for a bloke who flew out of Darwin in the early hours of this morning!
Eels forever!
Sixties
Ok, so we blitzed a team in the top 8; and it seems they did a superb job. Wo do we see as looking at a contract development for 2019?
There are a number in the squad who will be too old for 20s next year. The club will have to decide whether those boys not under contract will get a contract of some description. I’d like to see a younger Wenty squad next year.
What a great read sixties, I too would like to see a younger Wenty next year as they are doing things tough, hopefully we will gain some of the younger power players coming through the ranks.
With the win they are now in 4th spot on the table.
Good to see a site that celebrates the positives!!
Thanks Mel. We are a supporter site. We don’t put our head in the sand, and it’s not easy to report on a year like this. However, the word support is worth remembering.
With your wishes of a younger Wenty squad next year. Do you think guys like Akafolou, Tui, Dylan brown, Oregan, Might get a run.
What are the chances with Stefano Utoikamanu maybe getting a run.?
Now Reed is up in the Nrl who will fill the void for the 9 at Wenty.? Would Schneider get an opportunity next year at Wenty.?
in my opinion, there will be a combination of methods used. Younger players may be brought into the top 30, given a rookie contract or given an NRL pre-season.
Giving them an NRL pre-season also helps the coaching staff to look at attitudes towards training.
I think the players you listed need to be at looked at in ISP level. Playing against older players gives a much better perspective of their capabilities and its part of the transition process. Reed proved himself at ISP, so they knew he’d be likely to handle his shot at NRL. Dane will be assessed on his ISP form this year. Kaufusi has stepped up this year and must be either Top 30 or Rookie contract next year. Stefano is one out of the box and looks like a genuine NRL player in the making. Dylan Brown is only 18 this year, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t play ISP next year. Tui has always monstered his opponents at age level, so I’m keen to see him in open age company.
Schneider has missed most of this season following an injury in the early rounds of SG Ball. I think he would have had some Flegg experience this year, if not for injury. I’d expect him to start in Flegg next year.
Where is Faingaa at the moment. I know he lost time thru injury but is he close to ISP himself. Has looked good over the last 2 seasons
Salesi has been MR Fixit lately. He even played in the halves to cover Dylan Brown’s absence. I’m fairly sure he has been close to playing ISP. The under 20s is a very strong squad. Tupou is a powerhouse, Clifford is highly underrated, only injury has prevented Dresler from being a name familiar to fans, Oklandnikov is incredibly versatile and covers a multitude of forwards and backs roles, Jesse Cronin is a lock with an extraordinary work rate, Noel Aukafolau is not as big as his brother but is arguably at least as talented, and Sapienza has proved to be a worthy replacement for Joe Taipari. I could go on and list every member of the squad, like PJ, Vea and James Porter. Missing talent like Filia Utoikamanu & 18s like Valance Harris and JP Nohra. it really is a talented group. And every member of the 17 on Sunday did a tremendous job. Not everyone will find NRL level at Parra. It’s simply not possible, but at full strength they are a formidable group, with many still eligible for 20s next year, and should provide quite a few players in next year’s Wenty team.